Powered Oral Care Device Package

ABSTRACT

A packaging system for a powered oral care device is disclosed. The packaging system includes a first module having at least one powered oral care accessory contained within an interior space of the first module; a second module having a powered oral care device contained within an interior space of the second module, the powered oral care device including a handle section and a cleaning section coupled to the handle section; and a container encompassing the first module and the second module, wherein the container includes two or more windows through which the powered oral care device is visible to a consumer. The packaging system has a height of not more than about 255 mm and a tip angle of about 9 degrees or higher.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to packaging of powered oral care devicesand more particularly modular packaging of powered oral care deviceshaving two or more windows for viewing the devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist a number of toothbrushes currently available for consumerpurchase. For manual toothbrushes, typically, these types of brushes arepackaged in a blister package which consists of a clear blister attachedto a cardboard back card. The clear blister allows the consumer to seeat least one side of the manual toothbrush prior to purchase. Generally,these blister packages are either provided in a tray or on a hanger.

The packaging for powered oral care devices vary. For example, somepowered oral care devices are provided in a “clam-shell” package whichincludes a front clear blister and a back clear blister attached to oneanother. The clam shell blister allows the user to see the majority ofthe device. The powered oral care devices provided in this type ofpackage are generally compact and with the exception of poweredoperation, offer little other functionality to the consumer. Clam-shellpackages suffer from at least two negatives: (1) clam-shell packageslack a flat base, meaning the package cannot stably rest on a storeshelf without tipping over, and therefore must be hung from a shelfwall; and (2) clam-shell packages are formed from two opposing panels ofrigid plastic that are sealed together, making the package difficult fora consumer to open.

In contrast to the clam-shell package, some powered oral care devicesare provided in a box. Typically, powered oral care devices which offerto the consumer varied functionality are packaged in boxes. Thesedevices are often not very compact and because of height restrictions onstore shelves, may not be able to be shown to the consumer in a statewhere the power handle is attached to a refill. Because the handle andthe refill are not able to be coupled together, typically, the box doesnot include a window by which the consumer can visualize the handleconnected to the refill. Instead, artwork on the outside of the box isutilized to provide the visual perception of the handle connected to therefill.

As such, there is a need for a package which allows the complete poweredoral care device, i.e. handle coupled to refill, to be seen frommultiple sides while protecting the product within the package. What isalso needed is a packaging system that can use interchangeable modulesfor different product and accessory combinations, and wherein theproduct can be displayed to a consumer using a modular package that iseasy to access and can stably set on a store shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a packaging system for a powered oral care device isprovided. The packaging system includes a first module having at leastone powered oral care accessory contained within an interior space ofthe first module; a second module having a powered oral care devicecontained within an interior space of the second module, the poweredoral care device including a handle section and a cleaning sectioncoupled to the handle section; and a container encompassing the firstmodule and the second module, wherein the container includes two or morewindows through which the powered oral care device is visible to aconsumer. The packaging system has a height of not more than about 255mm and a tip angle of about 9 degrees or higher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging system according toembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a modular package according toembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a modular package according toembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an electric oral care device accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a blank for forming a sleeve according to embodiments shownand described herein;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a sleeve according to embodimentsshown and described herein;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a sleeve according to according toembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a module group according toembodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 shows a blank for forming a module according to embodiments shownand described herein; and

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a module according to embodimentsshown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A packaging system in accordance with the present disclosure includestwo or more individual modules enclosed within a container, such as abox or a sleeve, with at least one of the modules being formed from atransparent or translucent material, at least in part, thereby allowinga consumer to visually perceive a packaged oral care product. Themodular packages are displayed at the point of sale, such as storeshelves or pictured on the internet. The individual modules that make upa packaging system can be in the form of a box and can be in anyconfiguration, for example, modules can be stacked, with one on top ofthe other within one modular package, but when assembled within thecontainer will have a substantially uniform height. A modular packagemay even contain two or more modules stacked together, adjacent to asingle module having substantially the same height as the height of thestacked modules.

Additionally, the packages described herein may be utilized for poweredoral care products, manual oral care products, oral care productconsumable, for example, dentifrice, gels, powders, rinse, floss,personal hygiene devices, personal hygiene consumables, rinses,shampoos, conditioners, lotions, the like, and/or combinations thereof.However, for convenience, the discussion below will focus on a personalhygiene device, for example, powered oral care products.

As shown in FIG. 1 the packaging system 1 of the present disclosureincludes two or more modules, in this embodiment two boxes 2, 3,encompassed within a sleeve 4. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1Aa packaging system 1 may include two or more modules, such as two boxes2, 3 encompassed within an outer box 19. In still further embodiments,as shown in FIG. 1B, two sleeves 4A, 4B (each encompassing two boxes 2A,3A and 2B, 3B) may be connected along a fold line 25, such that theindividual sleeves 4A, 4B may fold towards or away from each other likea book.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary oral care device. In this embodiment,the oral care device is shown as a power or electric toothbrush 7. Theelectric toothbrush 7 includes a cleaning section 220 and a handlesection 12. The handle section 12 includes an interior cavity (notshown) which typically contains an electric drive such as a motor,batteries, mechanical linkages for connecting the electric drive tofurther mechanical linkages in the cleaning section 220, electroniccomponents for controlling the electrical operation of the toothbrush 7,and the like. In many different embodiments, one or more of thoseinterior components may be omitted, or replaced with other components.For example, a corded electrical power supply can supplant the need forbatteries. A switch 14 may be used to turn the electric toothbrush 7 onand off, or otherwise to control operation of the electric toothbrush 7.

The electric drive in the handle section 12 imparts a motion to themechanical linkages in the handle section 12. It may, for example,impart a rotary, oscillating, or rotary and oscillating motion to themechanical linkages. The mechanical linkages in the handle section 12are in turn coupled to additional mechanical linkages in the cleaningsection 220, via a coupling member or the like. A suitable motor andmechanical linkage transmission system is disclosed for example in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0307591 to Farrell et al., whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Movement of thecombined mechanical linkages imparts a desired motion to a cleaning headportion 222 of the cleaning section 220 such that the cleaning headportion 222, or any component thereof, is caused to have a desiredcleaning motion. Many different kinds of cleaning motions, includingrotary, oscillating, vertical and/or horizontal sweeping and the like,may be used. Generally, as used herein, cleaning motion describes anydesired or effective movement of the cleaning elements or bristlesrelative to other components in the toothbrush 10 to affect cleaning.Handle sections 12 and mechanical linkages are well known to the skilledartisan. The cleaning section 220 may be configured for use with suchexisting handle sections or may be configured with new handle sectiontypes, as the case may be. The cleaning section 220, may be replaceableand capable of being push-fitted onto the handle section 12. Thecleaning section 220 includes an elongated housing or neck portion 225extending along a longitudinal axis 200 and a cleaning head portion forinsertion into the oral cavity. The longitudinal axis 200 may coincidewith a longitudinal section of a drive shaft member of the mechanicallinkages. At a handle end 228, the elongated housing 225 may include aprofile ring having an inside contour complementary with an outsidecontour of the handle section 12. In this manner, the cleaning section220 can be push-fitted onto the handle section 12 in a manner preventingrelative rotation of the cleaning section 220 with respect to the handlesection 12. A tab/slot, key/spline or other similar structure may beincluded in the corresponding contour surfaces to facilitate alignmentof the cleaning section 220 with the handle section 12 and to furtherprevent relative rotation between the two. The cleaning head portion 222is mounted such that it can in operation be driven into a rotation oroscillating rotation around a rotation axis when the cleaning section220 is attached to the handle 12. Alternatively, the elongated housing225 may be integrally formed with the handle section 12.

The illustrated cleaning head portion 222 has a substantially circularshape, although it may alternatively have a generally elliptical,rectangular, oblong, oval or other suitable shape. In some embodiments,the cleaning head portion 222 includes a carrier 226 which supports aplurality of contact elements 224 that are mounted to the carrier 226.Any suitable method of mounting the contact elements 224 to the carrier226 may be used. For example, where the contact elements 224 comprise aplurality of bristles, methods such as hot tufting, gluing, stapling,and the like, may be utilized. As another example, where the contactelements 224 comprise a plurality of elastomeric elements, methods suchas gluing, snap-fitting, welding, molding, etc. may be utilized.

The term “contact elements” is used to refer to any suitable elementwhich can be inserted into the oral cavity. Some suitable elementsinclude bristle tufts, elastomeric massage elements, elastomericcleaning elements, massage elements, tongue cleaners, soft tissuecleaners, hard surface cleaners, combinations thereof, and the like. Thecontact elements 224 may comprise a wide variety of materials and mayhave a number of different configurations. Any suitable material and/orany suitable configuration may be utilized. For example, in someembodiments, the contact elements 224 may comprise tufts. The tufts maycomprise a plurality of individual filaments which are securely attachedto a cleaning element carrier. Such filaments may be polymeric and mayinclude polyamide or polyester. The longitudinal and cross sectionaldimensions of the filaments and the profile of the filament ends canvary. Additionally, the stiffness, resiliency and shape of the filamentend can vary. Some examples of suitable dimensions include a lengthbetween about 3 centimeters to about 6 centimeters, or any individualnumber within the range. Additionally, the filaments may include asubstantially uniform cross-sectional dimension of between about 100 toabout 350 microns, or any individual number within the range. The tipsof the filaments may be any suitable shape, examples of which include asmooth tip, a rounded tip, tapered and a pointed tip. In someembodiments, the filaments may include a dye which indicates wear of thefilaments as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,255. Other suitableexamples of filaments are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,840. In someembodiments, the contact element fields may comprise fins as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,604, and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos.2004/0177462; 2005/0235439; and 2005/0060822. In some embodiments, thecontact element fields may comprise a combination of fins and tufts.

In one embodiment, the head may comprise a variety of contact elements.For example, the cleaning head portion 222 may comprise bristles,abrasive elastomeric elements, elastomeric elements in a particularorientation or arrangement, e.g. pivoting fins, prophy cups, or thelike. Some suitable examples of elastomeric cleaning elements and/ormassaging elements are described in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNos. 2007/0251040; 2004/0154112; 2006/0272112; and in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,553,604; 6,151,745. The cleaning elements may be tapered, notched,crimped, dimpled, or the like. Some suitable examples of these cleaningelements and/or massaging elements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,151,745; 6,058,541; 5,268,005; 5,313,909; 4,802,255; 6,018,840;5,836,769; 5,722,106; 6,475,553; and U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2006/0080794.

The cleaning head portion 222 may comprise a soft tissue cleanserconstructed of any suitable material. The soft tissue cleanser maycomprise any suitable soft tissue cleansing elements. Some examples ofsuch elements as well as configurations of soft tissues cleansers on atoothbrush are described in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0010628;2005/0166344; 2005/0210612; 2006/0195995; 2008/0189888; 2006/0052806;2004/0255416; 2005/0000049; 2005/0038461; 2004/0134007; 2006/0026784;20070049956; 2008/0244849; 2005/0000043; 2007/140959; and U.S. Pat. Nos.5,980,542; 6,402,768; and 6,102,923.

For those embodiments which include an elastomeric element on a firstside of the head and an elastomeric element on a second side of the head(opposite the first), the elastomeric elements may be integrally formedvia channels or gaps which extend through the material of the head.These channels or gaps can allow elastomeric material to flow throughthe head during an injection molding process such that both theelastomeric elements of the first side and the second side may be formedin one injection molding step.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the packaging system 1 has a top surface8, bottom surface 9, and a side surface, which as shown in FIG. 1 may becomprised of four side sections 21, 23, 27, 29 in a rectangular orsquare cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments the sleeve 4substantially covers the side surface 21, 23, 27, 29 of the system 1,leaving the system 1 open at the top 8 and bottom 9 surfaces. Whereinthe top and bottom surfaces of a modular system are determined by howthe system will be oriented when displayed to a consumer. The boxes 2, 3are arranged within the inner volume of the sleeve 4. For each modularsystem a sleeve (or box) will have a defined inner volume in whichindividual modules will be contained. The inner volume of a sleeve (orbox) is determined by the height, width and depth of the sleeve (orbox).

The containers encompassing modules may be produced from blanks, forexample a sleeve blank as shown in FIG. 2. A sleeve blank 100 mayinclude a front panel 102, back panel 104, and two side panels 106, 108.The panels are hinged one to the next in series along fold lines 110,112 and 114. A sleeve 120, as shown in FIG. 3 may have one or morewindows 108, such as one or more regions of transparency. As usedherein, “transparency” means having the property of transmitting lightwithout substantial scattering so that items lying beyond can be visibleto a person. The window can comprise a transparent covering, such as,for example, a transparent film. In addition, or alternatively, thewindow can comprise an opening in the sleeve that does not include acovering. In certain embodiments, the window can comprise a transparentcovering that can be clear, translucent, tinted or opaque. Thetransparent covering can be tinted in any suitable color or combinationof colors. The transparent covering can also, or alternatively, beprinted or embossed. In certain embodiments, the window can be imagesthat depict or give the perception of a window, such as, images thatdepict a region of transparency or an opening.

In addition, in certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 a sleeve 120 mayinclude a flap 124, wherein the flap is flexible about a hinge 126 suchthat it can be moved towards and away from the front panel 102 of thesleeve 120. A sleeve can be made of cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard,chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric,ceramic, polymer, natural or synthetic fibers, webs, mesh, screen, wood,composite, mixtures or combinations thereof, or any other suitablematerial. A sleeve provides a modular package dimensional stability andallows for the easy removal of one sleeve and its replacement withanother. As used herein, including the claims, the term “sleeve” means ahollow member having substantially fixed dimensions, for example ascompared to a rubber band which has flexible dimensions, with at leastone open end; and having any cross-sectional shape, includingspecifically but not exclusively, triangular, square, rectangular,pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal and circular.

In certain embodiments a container, such as a sleeve or box may havedimensions of from about 250-260 mm in height, about 100-230 mm inwidth, and from about 50-230 mm in depth; in other embodiments a sleevemay have dimensions of from about 250-260 mm in height, about 100-180 mmin width, and from about 50-170 mm in depth. Typically because of heightrestrictions on store shelves, a container may have dimensions of fromabout 250 mm to about 258 mm in height; and in another embodiment fromabout 250 mm to about 255 mm in height. Due to a combination of shelfheight limits imposed by retailers and the use of bulky materials suchas EPS, powered oral care devices are typically packaged with thecleaning section separate and decoupled from the handle section.

As shown in FIG. 1 a sleeve 4 includes at least two windows 5 and 6allowing a substantial portion of a powered oral care device to beviewed from multiple angles within the system 1. For purposes of thepresent disclosure, a substantial portion is from about 50% to about100%. The powered oral care device, in this instance a poweredtoothbrush 7 can be viewed from the front window 5, back window 6,bottom, or top of the packaging system 1—providing the module containingthe powered toothbrush is transparent or translucent. The front and backwindows 5 and 6, respectively, can take any size and shape such as acircle, a square, a rectangle, an ellipse, a triangle or any other shapethat can be used to allow a substantial portion of the powered oral caredevice to be viewed.

In addition to a container, as shown in FIG. 5 a plastic film cover 130can be used, which surrounds, in certain embodiments completely, two ormore modules 132, 134 forming a module group 136. The plastic film covercan be shrunk by heat treatment, which may provide dimensionalstability. If the plastic film is tightened about a module group 136,for example by shrinking, so that the circumference of the plastic filmis slightly smaller than the circumference of the module group 136, thismethod enables the plastic film cover 130 to surround the module group136 with a tightening force. The tightening force can be varieddepending on how tightly the film is shrunk about the module group 136.Shrinking can also be carried out in such a manner that the film coversurrounds the module group without a tightening force. Where a film wrapis used the tightening force can be achieved by wrapping, possibly incombination with shrinking, of the plastic film cover. The tighteningforce can provide additional dimensional stability to a module group bymore tightly fixing the positions of the separate modules. A plasticfilm cover may include an opening mechanism such as a pull tab, tearstrip, ribbon, perforation, or combinations thereof. The openingmechanism could be oriented vertically or horizontally on the modulegroup. In certain embodiments the container would cover the openingmechanism.

A modular packaging system may include a container, a first modulecontaining at least one powered oral care accessory, and a second modulecontaining a powered oral care device, wherein both modules whencombined substantially fill the inner volume of the container. This typeof arrangement allows great flexibility, in that providing the moduleshave dimensions allowing them to fill the container in combination withother modules; modules can be freely exchanged to produce a modularpackage. Further, containers having the same or similar inner volume canbe exchanged in a modular package providing great packaging diversity.For example, a module containing a powered toothbrush may be coupledwith modules containing different loads of powered toothbrushaccessories, provided that the modules have volumes that can fit into acontainer with the powered toothbrush module to produce a modularpackage. In another example modular packages can use multiple containershaving the same or similar inner volume.

The individual modules can be arranged in any manner-stacked,side-by-side, or any combination thereof providing the modules fitwithin the inner dimension of the container. The modules when finallyassembled within the container should fill up most if not all of theinner space of a container, such that there is substantial contactbetween the outer surfaces of the modules and the inner space surface ofthe container—further the module height (either alone or stacked) shouldbe substantially the same height of the container. However, in certainembodiments a sleeve height may be less than the module height. Inaddition as the individual module openings are covered by the container,the sleeve prevents the modules from being opened. In certainembodiments the average module height may be within about 2 cm of thecontainer height in which the modules will be contained, in otherembodiments 1 cm, in still other embodiments 0.5 cm. The individualmodules contained within a container forming a modular package may havevarying dimensions or the modules could have substantially similardimensions.

A module of the present invention may be formed from a one-piece blankfabricated from paperboard, corrugated cardboard, or any other foldablesheet material. As shown in FIG. 6, in certain embodiments, a blank 10comprises a series of main panels including a top panel 12, a first sidepanel 14, a second side panel 16, a third side panel 17, and a bottompanel 18. The main panels are hinged one to the next in series alongfold lines 20, 22, 24 and 25. The blank 10 further comprises a series ofend closure panels, hinged to opposing ends of each of the main panelsfor closing the ends of the module. The top panel 12 is hinged to afirst and second closure panel 26, 28, along fold lines 30, 32. Thefirst side panel 14 is in turn hinged to a first and second closurepanel 34, 36 along fold lines 38, 40. And the bottom panel 18 is hingedto a first and second closure panel 42, 44 along fold lines 48, 50. Thethird side panel 17 is hinged to a first and second closure panel 54, 56along fold lines 58, 60.

It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references suchas “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom” and “side” do not limit therespective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguishthese panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection shouldnot be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only: incertain embodiments hinged connection can be formed from one or more ofone of the following, a score line, a frangible line or a fold line,without departing from the scope of invention.

In certain embodiments the top panel 12 and second side panel 16 mayform a closeable lid, which may include a first and second closure panel26, 28, but which in certain embodiment one or both of the closurepanels may be absent. Further, as shown in FIG. 6 in one or moreembodiments the top panel 12, the second side panel 16, or both may befabricated to have one or more lines of weakness 62. A line of weaknessmay comprise perforations, areas of thinness, cuts, voids, separations,or combinations thereof. A line of weakness may be shaped such that anotch 64 will be created upon separating the line of weakness 62 toproduce a flap or module opening 66. Further, the top panel 12, secondside panel 16, or both can be divided to produce two or more flaps.

Turning to the construction of a module 80 from a blank 10, a series ofsequential folding steps, and in certain embodiments gluing operations,can be used, which can be performed in a straight line machine.

A module 80, in certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7 comprises threepairs of opposing panels 12 and 18; 14 and 17; 42 and 44. The panelsform the top 12, bottom 18, and sides 14, 17, 42, 44 of the module 80and serve to define the exterior surface of the module 80 and theinterior space. In certain embodiments an individual module does nothave to be totally enclosed, for example a module could be a tray havingan open or exposed side. The interior space of a module 80 may beaccessed through an opening, such as a flap 43, wherein the flapcomprises the top panel 12, second side panel, and the first and thefirst and second closure panel 26, 28, as shown in FIG. 7. A flap allowsaccess to the interior space of a module and also generally includessome form of closure mechanism, such as a notch, tab, slot, orreleasable adhesive to allow the flap to close and reseal the module. Incertain embodiments the opening means of a module, for example a flap,will be positioned on the module such that the sleeve will serve as anextra securing means to keep the module closed.

In certain embodiments, a module can be made of relatively stiffmaterials, such as, for example, cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard,chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric,ceramic, rigid foams—such expanded polystyrene, polymer, natural orsynthetic fibers, webs, mesh, screen, wood, composite, mixtures orcombinations thereof, or any other suitable material. Alternatively, orin addition, the module can be made of a flexible material, such as,blown or cast film in a blend of low density polyethylene and linear lowdensity polyethylene, metallocenes, ethylene vinyl acetate, surlyn,polyethylene terephthalate, biaxally oriented polypropylene, nylon,combinations thereof, or any other suitable material.

In certain embodiments a first module will contain at least one poweredoral care accessory and a second module will contain the powered oralcare device. For example, the first module may contain poweredtoothbrush accessories such as instruction manual, charger, stand,travel case, brush heads, refills, refill tray, cup, instruction dvd,toothpaste, or mouth wash and the second module may contain a poweredtoothbrush. In addition the powered oral care accessories containedwithin the first module may be packaged in a manner of use according toa user's brushing regimen or routine, such that the accessories usedfirst would be positioned above the accessories that would normally beused afterward. For example, with powered toothbrush accessories theaccessories could be packaged from top to bottom of the module,representing order of use, starting with instruction manual or dvd,stand, charger, brush heads, and refills.

A module can include at least one window, such as, a region oftransparency. As used herein, “transparency” means having the propertyof transmitting light without substantial scattering so that items lyingbeyond can be visible to a person. The window can include a transparentcovering, such as, for example, a transparent film. In addition, oralternatively, the window can comprise an opening in the module thatdoes not include a covering. In certain embodiments, the window caninclude a transparent covering that can be clear, translucent, tinted oropaque. The transparent covering can be tinted in any suitable color orcombination of colors. The transparent covering can also, oralternatively, be printed or embossed. In certain embodiments, thewindow can be images that depict or give the perception of a window,such as, images that depict a region of transparency or an opening.

The window can be disposed on at least one side of the module, such as,the front, the back, or sides. In certain embodiments, the window can bedisposed on more than one side. The window can be at any location on theside and can comprise any appropriate amount of the module side, suchas, for example, from about 5% to about 95% of the side, such as, forexample, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about25%, or any other amount of the side.

One of the modules may be a transparent module comprised of atransparent plastic. For example, a transparent second module may beused to contain a powered oral care device, such that the device will bevisible to a consumer through the transparent module. As used herein,“transparent” means having the property of transmitting light withoutsubstantial scattering so that items lying beyond can be visible to aperson. The transparent plastic material can be clear, translucent,tinted or opaque. The transparent module can be tinted in any suitablecolor or combination of colors. The transparent module can also, oralternatively, be printed, embossed, or both. The transparent module canbe formed of a plastic sheet material of sufficient thickness to berelatively rigid and self-supporting, as contrasted with the filmsemployed in skin packaging. Although by no means intended as limiting,ordinarily such materials would have a minimum thickness of from 5 to 6mils, although it may be possible in some applications to use eventhinner sheets. Suitable plastics may be selected, for example, fromamong polymers and copolymers of ethylene, propylene, butene, andbutadiene, polystyrenes, acetates, butyrates, propionates and vinyls, aswell as others. If desired for added rigidity, the plastic sheetmaterial may be ribbed or otherwise configured.

Embodiments are contemplated where a transparent second module may beutilized as a traveling case for a powered oral care device. In suchembodiments, the transparent module may include a relesable snapfeature, magnets, or a strap.

Examples

The following Examples provide a comparison between oral care devicepackages that are commercially available in the United States to oralcare device packages having optimized parameters according to thepresent disclosure.

TABLE 1 Sample Oral Care Device Packages Cleaning section coupled tohandle section in pack Example Height (mm) # of modules # of windows(Y/N) 1. 350 1 0 N 2. 366 1 2 Y 3. 239 1 0 N 4. 234 1 0 N 5. 250 1 1 Y6. 253 2 2 Y 7. 253 4 3 Y

Example 1 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by CosmicSmile under the trademark COSMICSMILE SONIC TOOTHBRUSH (UPC#3621172929).

Example 2 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by DentistRxunder the trademark DENTIST RX INTELISONIC (S/N: C01757236).

Example 3 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by WaterPik, Inc. under the trademark WATERPIK SENSONIC PROFESSIONAL (ModelSR-1000W; UPC #7395027823).

Example 4 is a commercially available O/R toothbrush sold by The Procterand Gamble Company under the trademark ORAL B PROFESSIONAL CARE 9400TRIUMPH (UPC #6905583799).

Example 5 is a commercially available sonic toothbrush sold by TheProcter and Gamble Company under the trademark ORAL B PULSONIC (UPC#69055853464).

Examples 6 and 7 are embodiments of powered oral care devices inaccordance with the present disclosure.

Test Methods

The test method and apparatus described below may be useful in testingembodiments of the present disclosure:

Tip Angle

The Tip Angle of a packaging system is determined as follows:

Equipment

-   -   Tilting Platform made out of 3/16″ aluminum, measuring 9″×15″.    -   Sand paper covering the surface of the tilting platform to        prevent slipping prior to the system tipping.    -   Sensor (available from Micro Switch, model #PC11-AG1) positioned        so that the platform stops when the packaging system begins to        tip over. The sensor is used to stop the tilting platform once        the packaging system has tipped over.    -   Measuring stick mounted to the side of the tilting platform        calibrated to measure the angle of the platform at the point        where the packaging system tips over.    -   Motor (model #2Z797 available from Dayton Gearmotor) used to        move the tilting platform up and down.    -   Differential (model # PCB.260.90V.T available from Electroid)        used to convert the rotational power from the motor into a        lifting power that will push the tilting table up and down.    -   A package having at least two modules according to the present        disclosure.

Test Procedure

-   -   Place a modular packaging system on the tilting platform.    -   Check the measuring stick to confirm that the tilting platform        is at the 0 degrees position.    -   Set the motor speed control to 1 degree per second rise of the        platform.    -   Turn the sensor on and position the packaging system so that the        trailing edge of the system just interrupts the sensor. A slight        “click” sound is produced when the system is positioned to        interrupt the sensor.    -   Turn the platform on so that the platform will rise at the        preset 1 degree per second rate and will stop at the angle which        the packaging system topples out of the crossbeam of the sensor.

Calculation/Reporting

-   -   Calculate and report the “Tip Angle” directly from the measuring        stick.    -   Return the platform to a 0 degree position.    -   Report the Testing Date and Analytical Method used.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A packaging system for a powered oral care device comprising: a firstmodule having at least one powered oral care accessory contained withinan interior space of the first module; a second module having a poweredoral care device contained within an interior space of the secondmodule, the powered oral care device including a handle section and acleaning section coupled to the handle section; and a containerencompassing the first module and the second module, wherein thecontainer includes two or more windows through which the powered oralcare device is visible to a consumer; wherein the packaging system has aheight of not more than about 255 mm and a tip angle of about 9 degreesor higher.
 2. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein thecontainer is at least one of a box or a sleeve.
 3. The packaging systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second module dimensions arethe same.
 4. The packaging system according to claim 1, wherein thereare 3 or more modules.
 5. The packaging system according to claim 2,wherein the container includes at least one of cardboard, paperboard,cartonboard, rigid foam, chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper,card stock, fabric, ceramic, polymer, natural or synthetic fibers, webs,mesh, screen, wood, or composite.
 6. The packaging system according toclaim 1, wherein the first module and second module are surrounded by aplastic film cover.
 7. The packaging system according to claim 6,wherein the plastic film cover includes an opening mechanism.
 8. Thepackaging system according to claim 1, wherein a substantial portion ofthe powered oral care device is visible to a consumer.
 9. The packagingsystem according to claim 1, wherein the at least one powered oral careaccessory is selected from the group consisting of an instructionmanual, a charger, a stand, a travel case, brush heads, refills, refilltray, cup, instruction dvd, toothpaste, and mouth wash.
 10. Thepackaging system according to claim 1, wherein the powered oral careaccessories contained within the first module are packaged according toorder of use such that the accessories used first are positioned abovethe accessories that are used afterward.